As mentioned on a number of occasions in the Economic Insider, over the course of the last twelve months the Economic Progress Alliance has aggressively pursued a business outreach initiative aimed at identifying and responding to the needs of exiting area businesses. This priority to grow employment and economic development from within the community is thought to be most appropriate in Crawford County given our historically high concentrations of entrepreneurial and small business activities. With the support of the Team PA program and the Crawford County Vision Team, economic development organizations throughout the county have joined forces to identify and meet with more than 250 strategic businesses in the county over the last year, and we are committed to continue this effort for the foreseeable future.
To date, many needs ranging from equipment and real estate financing to support for new research and development initiatives have been identified and addressed. However, not unexpectedly, one of the most pressing needs so far identified by local employers is the need to recruit and retain quality personnel. Relative long term national economic prosperity, population demographics and the drive to achieve ever-higher degrees of efficiency in operations are combining to create a very tight labor market. Of course, this is not an issue unique to Crawford County. But because we continue to enjoy levels of manufacturing activities and employment much above the state and national averages, workforce shortages and the constant pressure to achieve higher levels of technical proficiency and productivity is acute in our region.
While people (workforce) have always been a critical part of the economic equation, the factors mentioned above have come in recent years to play an important role in influencing economic development strategies in communities throughout the country. Based on the needs expressed by many area employers, we at the Economic Progress Alliance are now prepared to offer our support and assistance in addressing this important issue
With the support of the Regional Center for Workforce Excellence and the Crawford County Vision Team, Ms. Connie Frantz has joined our outreach team as Workforce Development Coordinator. In this capacity, Connie will work with area employers to identify workforce requirements and coordinate the myriad of resources available to provide solutions to employer needs. While we are blessed with quality training and educational resources such as PMI and others, our intent in this regard is to focus on serving the employers of the community as a broker of workforce and training resources.
We and our partners understand that working though the various organizations and agencies engaged in workforce development can be cumbersome and frustrating, and may often end in less than the desired result. However, because of the importance placed on this issue by area employers, the Economic Progress Alliance and its partners are fully committed to this effort to help.
Until next time..
Mark Turner
The Crawford County Fair is the largest agricultural fair in the state. This is obvious every August for one week out of the month. The effect of that one week on the area's economy is probably larger than imagined as the dollars spent are re-circulated back into the local economy. Not only is it the money spent at the fair itself in admissions, food, drinks, games, concerts, etc., but also the dollars spent outside the fairgrounds on such things as gas, lodging, supplies and food. Juanita Hampton of the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau says it can be estimated that each fair attendee will spend and average of $90 which turns around at least seven times within the community.
The effect of the activities at the fairgrounds is not limited to just the one fair week, however. The site is used for numerous other purposes throughout the year including corporate annual meetings with family recreation activities, tools sales, church picnics and community organizations' meetings. Agricultural shows do, however, make up a large number of the events held throughout the year. Shows are held almost every weekend, including cattle shows, a yearly miniature horse show and several PA Western Riding and Driving Club shows each year. Last year, the first Haflinger horse show in the county was held at the fairgrounds. It has grown and is scheduled again this year for the end of September. This show goes on almost an entire week and includes a tack sale and colt sale. Most of the horses are brought in from Canada and breeders come from all areas and from as far away as Florida.
The Dog and Pony Inn at Porterfield Farms, Venango might be considered an offshoot rippling affect of the fairground activities. This bed and breakfast, while welcoming everyone, caters to people who travel with their dogs and horses by providing the amenities they require.
Crawford County is a wonderfully diverse area and while manufacturing is a major component of our economy, agriculture does play an important part in the whole picture with the fairgrounds as only one component of that part.
Celebrate the rich ethnic heritage of our region! The 1st Annual Meadville Ethnic Festival will be held in downtown Meadville the weekend of September 22-23, 2007. The streets around Market Square will be closed to traffic starting at 6:00 p.m. Friday night. This includes Park Avenue to Water Street, and Chestnut Street to Center Street. Admission is free and free parking will be available in both downtown parking garages.
Entertainment, food, artisans, crafters and much more will be the agenda for the weekend. The festival will run from 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. on Saturday, ending the day's activities with a free concert at 7:15 p.m. on the top floor of the Market Street parking lot presented by Carl Hultman and Friends. Those attending are asked to bring their own chair. Festivities will continue from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Over 20 food vendors will provide a variety of menus including Greek, Italian, Mexican and Polish fare as well as regular festival food. Numerous groups will provide entertainment throughout the weekend, including Reely Moka, County Mayo, Hotel Charlie, Cootie Harris, Emil and the Palookas, Dixie Doodlers, MadCallum Highland Pipes and Drums, and Ricky Jefferson, the singing chef as well as the Allegro Dancers. There will be rides and activities for the children, Hog Heaven with their alpacas, an ethnic auction table by the Meadville Council on the Arts, and much more.
Plan on enjoying the weekend's activities while supporting local organizations at the same time. The festival is presented by both the Meadville A.M and the Noontime Rotary Clubs with the help of numerous community sponsors. Any profits realized will be utilized by the Rotary for their local endeavors.
The Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC) Small Business Office will host a Training, Knowledge and Opportunities Seminar on September 18-19, 2007, at the Center, 3990 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio.
The two-day session will cover "How to do Business with DSCC." This will include the registration process with Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS). Also, Contractors will learn how to find open solicitations on the DSCC website, learn procedures for viewing and downloading drawings, and how to submit a quote through the DIBBS quoting system.
For more information on the DSCC, and this event as well as other events they present, visit www.dscc.dla.mil/News/events/tko or call 1-800-262-3272.
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Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County
764 Bessemer Street, Suite 101
Meadville PA 16335
814-333-2299
12/21/2007